Oct 15 (CT) CWC Leader Arumugam Thondaman, MP, has announced his support to SLPP Prez candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa, one of two main Prez candidates contesting next month's Prez Poll, the other being UNP/NDF Prez hopeful Sajith Premadasa. The CWC largely derives its vote base from the upcountry or estate Tamils living in the Nuwara Eliya District, which, minority community however, comprises over 50% of the population in that upcountry district. more..

Oct 15 (FT) This series is based on business leader Dhammika Perera�s recently revealed Economic Growth Strategy and Action Plan to increase GDP Per Capita from $ 4,000 to $ 12,000. The document outlines goals and action plans for 23 ministries and today�s column focuses on the Ministry of Education. ACTION PLAN: 1. Allocate an additional budget of Rs. 200 billion with a 10% annual increment for primary, university and technical and vocational education. more..

Oct 15 (Island) If the Rajapaksa regime had not been defeated in 2015, planes that flying over the Port City would have had to obtain permission from China, Minister of Health Rajitha Senaratne said addressing a meeting at Kesbewa recently in support of New Democratic Front (NDF) candidate Minister Sajith Preamadasa. The event was held at the residence of UNP MP Sirinal de Mel. It was organised by Niroshan Padukka, the chief organizer of the UNP in Kesbewa. more..

Oct 15 (AD) It is compulsory to establish the identity of the voter at the polling stations, stated the Chairman of the Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya. Accordingly, voters are required to present one of the following documents when casting their votes: National Identity Card (NIC), Valid Passport, Valid Driving License, Govt Pensioners� Identity Card, Senior Citizen�s Identity Card, Identity Card issued to Clergy by the Department for Registration of Persons. more..

Oct 15 (DM) NDF prez candidate Sajith Premadasa pledged to revive his late father R. Premadasa�s concept of providing free mid-day meals and two sets of uniforms to children in all schools. Mr. Premadasda who made this pledge at an election rally in Balangoda said he would find funds to provide these to school children by cutting down unnecessary expenditure. �My late father got the idea of providing school uniforms free more..

Oct 15 (DN) Talks between TNA spokesman MP M.A. Sumanthiran and SLPP Prez Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo ended on an unsuccessful note, TNA MPs said. They said that when Gotabaya Rajapaksa was asked abut his proposed solution to the North East problem, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa had interjected saying that people in the South were facing greater problems than those confronting the Tamil people. more..

Oct 15 (DN) The almanac case filed against two accused including former Minister Basil Rajapaksa was yesterday fixed for trial on Nov 28 by the Colombo High Court. The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Gihan Kulathunga and summons were issued to five prosecution witnesses to appear on the next trial date. The AG had filed indictments against the former Minister and former Director General of Divi Neguma Department, Kithsiri Ranawaka in the Colombo High Court more..

Oct 15 (RN) It was as inevitable as the sun rising from the East; Gotabaya Rajapaksa at his first Press Conference as a Prez Candidate was asked whether the White Van culture that existed during the past regime would come back if he becomes President. Gotabaya ignored the question and also did not deny that the abductions of journalists and dissidents had occurred in his time in the dreaded vans. more..

Oct 15 (MFA) The Ambassador Azmi Thassim held a meeting with Secretary General of Saudi Export Development Authority at SEDA in Riyadh Saleh S. Al Solami on 06 October 2019 to discuss on the Saudi Export Program and using of available facilities by SL companies. Saudi Export Development Authority (SAUDI EXPORTS) is an independent national institution that promotes Saudi non-oil exports and support exporters to increase their competitiveness, promote their goods more..

Oct 15 (TM) As part of the fifth International Tourism Leaders Summit & Tourism Research Conference held recently to coincide with World Tourism Day, Minister John Amaratunga was honoured with a Lifetime Award for National Contribution and Professional Excellence. The prestigious award was presented to Minister Amaratunga by the Alumni Association of Tourism Economics and Hospitality Management of the Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts of the Uni of Colombo for more..

Oct 15 (DM) SLPP presidential candidate and former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said today said though he would work with the UN and human rights organisations in resolving contentious issues he could not recognize the UNHRC resolution on SL because it was illegal. The 30/1 UN resolution titled, Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in SL was co-sponsored by the present SL govt more..

Oct 15 4 (AD) Five major Tamil political parties have agreed to submit a proposal containing 13 points to the candidates contesting at the forthcoming Prez Election. They have come to this agreement following a discussion held last evening on the proposal submitted by the student union of the University of Jaffna. The discussion was attended by the ITAK Leader Mavai Senathirajah, TMK Leader C. V. Wigneswaran, TELO Leader Selvam Adekkalanathan, EPRLF Leader more..

Oct 15 4 (ANI) Most of the 127 persons arrested in connection with cases linked to terror organisation ISIS from across 14 states in the country were inspired by controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, according to Inspector-General of National Investigation Agency, Alok Mittal. Addressing a conference of anti-terror agencies, Mittal said that 127 people arrested in ISIS related cases over the years including 33 from TN, 19 from Uttar Pradesh, 17 from Kerala and 14 from Telangana. more..

Oct 15 4 (DM) Former Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Thilanga Sumathipala was yesterday formally banned from holding any position at SLC following a directive issued by Sports Minister Harin Fernando, based on the findings and recommendations made by a 3-member committee appointed by the Minister. The committee, chaired by Director General � Department (of) Sports Development Mr. Dhammika Muthugala and more..

Oct 15 (AD) Elections Commission stated that all have been prepared for the postal voting of the Prez Election. The certification of postal ballot lists will take place today while the issuing of postal ballot papers and handing them over to the post will take place on 18.10.2019. Accordingly, postal voting for the state institutions and armed forces will take place on 31.10.2019 and 01.11.2019. Postal voting of voters at District Secretariats, election offices, and the police will be carried out on 04.11.2019. more..

Oct 15 4 (CI) Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Virender Sehwag and Muttiah Muralitharan are among the big names set to feature in a T20 tournament aimed at promoting road safety, called the Road Safety World Series. Some other prominent names that are set to be part of the tournament include Jacques Kallis, Brett Lee and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. The first season of the tournament will be played in 2020 between Feb 2 and 16 in Mumbai and will feature the following teams: more..

Oct 15 4 (AD) The Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development has decided to discontinue accepting solid waste of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to the Aruwakkalu Sanitary Landfill. In a letter addressed to the Commissioner of the CMC, Ministry stated that accepting CMC waste will be discontinued, with effect from the 16th of Oct 2019. The decision was taken over a statement made by Mayoress more..

Oct 15 4 (AD) A suspect has been arrested during a raid on an illicit toddy brewery in Kaluamodara in Aluthgama. The raid has been carried out by the officials of the STF based on a tip-off received by them. Reportedly, the officers have seized 83,000 liters of toddy found at the den. The 53-year-old owner of the brewery has been arrested over the operation of a toddy brewery without a valid permit. The suspect and the seized alcohol are to be handed over to Aluthgama Excise officials. more..

Oct 15 4 (DM) It has been reported that an organised campaign is being operated to mislead voters by posting false information on social media, the Campaign for Free and Fair Election (CaFFE) said. CaFFE Director Surangi Ariyawansha said they had received information that a number of systematic misinformation and fake news campaigns had been circulated to deceive voters. She said posting misleading and fake news on social media was a series issue for a free and fair election. more..

Oct 15 4 (RN) General Secretary of SLFP Dayasiri Jayasekara said the so-called Organisation to protect SLFP is simply working according to a contract given to them by the UNP. And by that, they are trying to discourage the SLFP voters and break the votes of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He said that the UNP has launched conspiracy through this organisation to grab the local councillors, organisers & at last the ministers of SLFP by promising more..

Oct 15 4 (DM) While saying that the SLFP had been handed over to conspirators just for his personal benefit by a leader who came to power with 6.2 million votes, former president Chandrika Kumaratunga said 95% SLFP organisers were against the SLFPs decision to join the SLPP. Issuing a statement, she said this had been done to fulfil mere political objectives and according to the discretion of a few SLFP members. �What is pathetic is that this decision was taken on the day more..

Oct 15 4 (GDI) Steps have been taken on the instructions of Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam to convert seven provincial schools including Saranath Vidyalaya in Kuliyapitiya into national schools. Steps have also been taken to convert Dimbulagala, Vilalaya Central College, Thopawewa Maha Vidyalaya, Divulankadawala Central College, Bakamuna Mahasen Maha Vidyalaya, and Polonnaruwa Muslim Central College in Polonnaruwa district, Uhana Maha Vidyalaya more..

Oct 15 4 (AD) An Air India Airlines flight landed at the Jaffna International Airport today along with a team of Indian technical officers. The aircraft had arrived at the airport as a test flight. Governor of Northern Province Suren Raghavan stated that the Jaffna Int'l Airport is set to commence operations on the 17th of Oct. Prez and PM along with other dignitaries are scheduled to grace the inaugural event. more..

Oct 16 (CT) MMDA saga continues without an end. After nine years of gestation, the Justice Saleem Marsoof (JSM) Committee which, for the first time in SL Muslim history, lent an ear to the voice of Muslim women on a matter that affect their lives directly, produced a report recommending a few progressive reforms to do justice to Muslim women�s grievances. No sooner that report was released, saboteurs, led shamelessly by the All Ceylon Jamiyyatul Ulema (ACJU), which should be more appropriately more..

Oct 16 (CT) Prez elections are more about candidate and less about the party. That explains the curious, yet familiar process that we have witnessed in recent weeks; would be candidate refashioning the party structures in his own image or attempting to do so. The outcome of course, depends on how the country wide constituency comprehends the ideology of the candidate and more importantly, his or her capacity to deliver on promise. It is the candidate who can make or unmake more..

Oct 16 (CT) JVP politburo member and Chairman of the party's National Trade Union Center K.D. Lal Kantha said the JVP is capable of ruling the country with just 10 ministries. Q: This Prez Election is decisive. What impact will it have on the JVP? A: The people are yearning for change. Our responsibility is to grant that wish. It is decisive in that sense. After a long time, a candidate from our party is contesting a Prez Election. more..

Oct 16 (CT) Now that the battle lines have been finally drawn for the 16 Nov Prez Polls, barring any untoward incident, speculation is on about the possibility of victory for the two main contenders. Though the highest-ever number of 35 candidates are in the fray, with the Election Commission (EC) having to print a two-foot ballot-paper. While the EC has already indicated that they would require more classrooms in educational institutions, where they intend to count the votes, more..

Oct 16 (DN) The Tech City Development Project was initiated in early 2017 under the patronage of the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry to implement the Master Plan prepared for science, technology and innovation-based cities with boundaries from Kaduwela to Homagama via Malabe and Athurugiriya. The project is a key of intervention with the vision of transforming our country into an innovation hub of Asia. The Tech City is designed to provide comprehensive more..

Oct 16 (SO) Dr Ajantha Perera is a well recognized environmental scientist not only in SL but in most parts of the world. She introduced many environmental policies in the country along with the word prathichakreekaranaya (recycling). During her voluntary service, she once stormed into an LTTE base in Vavuniya to advocate the importance of environmental protection to militants. Dr Perera who is also called Garbage Queen more..

Oct 16 (CT) The length of the name list of the 35 candidates, at the upcoming prez election is two feet and two inches. One may argue that this is a testament of the democracy that now prevails in the country. This is only true if all these contenders have come forward to serve the purpose. We are in the process of electing a leader for our country to move forward and this is the only intent the candidates ought have. After all, democracy is not a show of more hands, but on making an informed more..

Oct 16 (SO) The statue of slain PM S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike on Galle Face Green must be feeling lonely, betrayed and left-behind. His was the statue that was erected outside the old Parliament lawn, signifying true freedom, unlike those of many national leaders, from colonial precursors to his contemporaries in the first Parliament of Independent Ceylon, all nudging for space. Standing splendidly a tangent above the long and straight stretch of Galle Road, Bandaranaike�s view more..

Oct 16 (Island) It couldn�t have been a mere coincidence that a former senior LTTE combatant was arrested with arms and mines, in Jaffna, while the Malaysian police swooped on a group including some lawmakers for making an attempt to revive the LTTE, in that country. There must be links between the LTTE activists operating here and in Malaysia. The arrest of the Jaffna Tiger, who has not undergone rehabilitation, has led to the detection of some more arms and claymore mines, more..

Oct 16 (Island) Rival regional and international powers with their own global agendas, competing to control the Indian Ocean, have entered Sri Lanka in view of its great strategic importance. This includes China, India, United States, its European allies especially United Kingdom and France, Russia and Israel. They all have their own agendas, often detrimental to the interests of this country. Thus the once peaceful Sri Lanka has become a playground for all these forces. more..

Oct 16 (Roar) It was twenty-eight year old Ayesha�s* first pregnancy. Recently married and excited about the arrival of her baby, she hadn�t expected any complications. In fact, when she was sent to the hospital by her village clinic, it was only because of a spike in her blood pressure�she never expected that when she gave birth two days later, her baby would be stillborn. She sits with me, a week after her loss, in a room in Ward 3 more..

Oct 16 (Island) UNP-led coalition on, Oct 10, declared Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, MP, would be appointed as the minister in charge of defence portfolio, in case UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa won the Nov. 16 prez election, followed by the parliamentary election next year. Sajith Premadasa made the announcement at the inauguration of his costly campaign at Galle Face. Fonseka was on stage with Premadasa, who is contesting the crucial poll � third prez since more..

Oct 16 (Island) World Cup winning former captain Arjuna Ranatunga is concerned that Sri Lanka Cricket could end up staining the excellent relationship the country has with Pakistan following public statements that it is not possible to resume Test cricket in Pakistan as yet. The national cricket team completed a two week tour of Pakistan where they played three ODIs in Karachi and three T-20s in Lahore. Although PCB is keen to host Sri Lanka for a two match Test series at home, more..

Oct 16 (ST) A member of the 1996 Wolrd Cup winning team, Ravindra Pushpakumara is presently in-charge of nurturing the younger generation of fast bowlers at SLC�s High Performance centre at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. �My responsibility is to train the next generation of fast bowlers and readying them to the national level. We have a good set of fast bowlers at the moment but we need to transform them more..

Oct 16 (SW) Greenvale Kangaroos have appointed Sri Lankan Test player Kaushal Silva as their coach for the Victorian Premier Cricket season. The club announced last week that Silva, who played 39 Tests for Sri Lanka, the most recent last year, would be playing-coach this season. Director of cricket Peter Di Venuto said it was exciting to get someone of Silva�s experience into the club. �He last played a Test for SL last year,� Di Venuto said. �We�ll be looking for his experience on the field. more..